Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight...I own an OptiMash Prime.

A/N: I usually hate A/Ns at the start of a chapter, but I'm gonna do it.

Felt I should just warn you all that I have shoehorned a Jasper POV in...just cos I love him.

To me it flowed right, and it's fairly short anyhoo. I hope that none of you hate it!

Enjoy!

Longer I wait the Harder I'm Gonna Fall

BPOV

Vibrations from the pounding music travelled through the floor boards and up through the soles of my shoes. Already unsteady thanks to the Stella McCartney heeled boots Alice had somehow talked me into it wasn't easy for me to remain upright. Apparently the cute little Puma pumps didn't go with the mood of the outfit.

Whatever.

I could also blame the copious amounts of Southern Comfort and Coke that I had consumed since arriving at the Cullen house in a lame attempt to sooth my wounded ego.

Cullen had kissed me, made my legs buckle and my underwear wet only this morning leaving me with a need to be owned by him. Alice and Rosalie had spent hours turning me into a heightened version of me with various potions and lotions with names I could barely pronounce, their good intentions being slowly but surely eroded the drunker I was getting.

I'd spent all day anticipating his lips crushing back down onto mine.

But he wasn't here.

Fucktard.

Rosalie had immediately glued herself to Emmett's side when we arrived. I could see her now, flicking her hair and laughing in delight when he took some of it between his thumb and middle finger whilst whispering something into her ear. I'd never seen her been quite so...girlish before. It made me jealous, not because it was Emmett but because I wanted someone's eyes to shine with that kind of attraction when they looked at me.

Southern Comfort turns me into a pitiful bitch.

Determined to pull myself out of my own little pity party I walked back over to the bar to get another drink, I should maybe swap over to Jack. Nothing wrong with mixing it up a little bit now and again.

"Jack and Coke." I slurred over the music to the guy behind the bar, banging my body into the bar unable to stop my body propelling forward. My fingers massaged the spot on my hip as he looked for my chosen drink, Jesus that was sore. Yet another reason I should never be wearing heels, let alone when drunk. It's like wearing roller skates; I was never able to stop when I got going. Thank god Alice hadn't tried to fit me into a skirt, that would have been a disaster in the making and she realised that.

The jeans that she poured me into fit so tight they felt like a second skin. Held up by clinging onto my hips with a studded belt alone. I had made a mental note to not crouch down, they would slide halfway down my ass if I did. At least the soft midnight blue ballerina top was comfortable, even if it was on backwards and baring the expanse of my back to those behind me. It was vaguely comforting knowing that at least my tits wouldn't be falling out of my top at any point of the night. Even if I wanted them to at some point in the privacy of a bedroom and with someone's mouth about to softly....

Shit.

I'd better stop thinking like this, I was getting seriously worked up and with no way to relieve the pressure building around my pelvis it was just going to get worse and worse. By the end of the night I would be pushing up against anything I could find just to get that sweet release like a fucking dog in heat.

"Hey darlin'." I hadn't noticed I was sliding slowly but surely down the bar to the floor until Jasper had slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me upright.

"Hey Jasper!" I was grinning widely and talking loudly.

"Bella." He grinned at me, gesturing something at the bar tender.

"I think I'm drunk."

"But are you happy drunk?"

"I reckon I'm pretty happy drunk right about now." The pity party had left the building and all I had been left with was a distinctly happy buzz.

And the burning need to see Cullen.

"Where the fuck is Cullen?" Jasper's eyes widened and he smirked at me.

"I don't know Bells. Why don't you ask Emmett?"

"Emmett looks pretty busy right about now." I pointed over to where he was standing with his hands on Rose's hips, pulling her body into his and placing a gentle kiss on her mouth. Jasper's forehead creased in disgust and he looked away.

"I wish I hadn't seen that."

"It's only gonna get worse!" I laughed at him.

Drinks had appeared beside us on the bar and Jasper picked them up. He gestured for me to follow him and I walked precariously behind him, careful to not pick up speed and smack into his back when he stopped. Alice was sitting on one of the sofas talking to Angela. I was glad Angela had taken an evening off from being Little Miss Studious. She very rarely hung out with us because she was always researching and studying. I was pretty sure she had already picked out the colleges she was going to apply to next year.

"Angela!" I launched myself down beside her and wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging her tightly before letting her go.

"Bella, how drunk are you?" She was laughing as I pulled my arms back and tried to focus on her pretty face.

"I'm a little buzzy." I laughed back.

"Where's Edward?" She had a knowing glint in her eye and I could tell she had been part of the audience this morning, though I knew that she would have averted her gaze quickly trying to give us privacy even though that was impossible.

"Fucked if I know." Words blurted out of my mouth making the three of them laugh at me.

We sat for a while drinking our drinks, talking and laughing as I grew progressively more annoyed at Cullen not being around. Rosalie and Emmett had long since disappeared from behind the decks after hooking up an IPod. Jasper had watched their exit towards the stairs in disgust until Alice had stroked her fingers along his jaw and dropped a kiss of his mouth. Normally I don't mind being the odd one out. If I had never met Edward bloody Cullen I would have smiled at this display of affection and I wouldn't have minded when Angela started to eye fuck Ben from across the room.

Tonight, however, it was making me die a little inside.

Jasper POV

Bella looked miserable. I hated it when either of my girls looked miserable. Alice was easy to cheer up, a simple kiss on her soft sweet lips would bring out a smile that blinded me and made my stomach contract. Bella isn't so easy to cheer up. She has a melancholic soul. There is sadness in her that even Alice hasn't picked up on. It rolls off her in waves some days. There is no pattern to it that I can see anyway, she can go for weeks being just Bella and then there will be days when I can look into her eyes and see trouble.

She will fight it and hide it and I pretend not to notice it. Then she will reach a dangerous stage of recklessness when she doesn't think anything can touch her. I don't even think she is aware of it herself. The last time it happened we had played truth or dare. I had been against it but when Alice and Rosalie team up there is no fighting them. Bella had a dangerous glint in her eye when she had stalked off to Mike Newton and engaged him in what one could laughably call flirting.

Bella, bless her, is not the best flirter in the world. She does it unconsciously perfectly, but when it comes down to doing it on purpose it is difficult to watch. I had tried to go after them when Newton had led her away to a secluded spot, knowing this was something Bella would regret in the morning. I never dreamed he would take it to the extreme. What kind of man took advantage of an obviously too drunk woman? Mike Newton that's who. I'd disliked him before but after that I hated him.

Where was Edward? I knew that was why she was in this kind of mood. Alice had spent all day with her, talking to her and helping her get ready for this party, she had told me that Bella was full of conflicting emotions regarding Edward. There was an overwhelming emotion though, one that Alice didn't need to tell me about. Love.

He was probably asleep in his room. He was yawning so hard this afternoon he had tears in his eyes. Sometimes it's just too hard to let something slide so I teased him about it, putting him in a pretty bad mood. Hopefully his nap will cheer him up.

"Where's Edward?" Alice put her lips to my ear and whispered so that Bella would not overhear. Her warm breath in my ear sent shivers down my spine. Slipping a hand into her inky short hair I pulled her ear to my own lips, softly kissing along her jaw before whispering back.

"I think he is napping." She laughed softly and I saw a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Don't Alice, whatever you are thinking, just don't." I warned her firmly. She always had people's best interests at heart, but sometimes she needs to let things play out naturally.

"You're a spoil sport Jasper Hale." She pouted at me and I couldn't resist kissing her and gently biting that protruding bottom lip. She tasted of cinnamon and other warm spices that made me feel comforted and aroused at the same time. She wasn't mad at me; she uses my middle name when she is.

I noticed a change in the atmosphere in the room. It was slight, but suddenly there was a tension I could feel. Glancing around I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I hate when this happens, it's something I can't explain but with the amount of people in the house everyone is bound to be picking up on other people's feelings. But I couldn't see the source of the sudden tension in the room.

Bella started to get up; wobbling in the heels Alice had somehow convinced her to wear. I watched her walk back to the bar, her feet walking faster and faster until she smacked right into like she had earlier. Shaking my head I turned my attention back to Alice who was watching her too with a little frown on her perfect forehead. I was torn between concern for Bella and my sudden need to be touching and kissing my girlfriend.

I'm a teenage boy.

Lust won.

BPOV

Fuck.

That hurt.

Where's my drink bartender?

Did I just say that out loud?

Where's my dignity?

Shit, I definitely said that out loud, the bartender is laughing at me.

I'm bored now.

I should take my shoes off.

Where's the bathroom?

I stumbled off in the direction of what I thought was the bathroom and found myself witnessing something I never wanted to see Angela and Ben performing. Part of me was impressed though, she's a fast worker. I'd only been apart from her for ten minutes.

Maybe it was longer?

I'm a wanderer when drunk. Time is forgotten and I walk around in my own little world. How I was still upright was a mystery but I was managing. I was pretty sure that I hadn't fallen over at any point. Stumbling doesn't count.

Quickly I closed the bathroom door and heard one of them lean over to lock it. Good plan.

Edward.

Where the fuck is he?

What a tool, being all "I would like it if you came" and then not even showing up himself. After the way he kissed me this morning as well.

Could he just be playing with me?

No, Jasper would kick his sorry ass on my behalf and Edward wouldn't risk that. I knew he wouldn't risk his friendship with Jasper; it was the only one that mattered to him out with his relationships with his family. I haven't known him long but I know that.

I leaned against the wall in the hall, tempted to head down to the entertainment room and have sleep on the couch, or maybe even watch a movie. That would be nice right about now. I'll just have a rest here for a while. Sliding down the wall I landed with a thump on my ass.

I like this song, what is it?

Hey! You're playing with my delirium
and the longer I wait the harder I'm gonna fall
Stop! Playing with my delirium
Coz I'm outta my head and outta my self control
Hey! You're playing with my delirium
and the longer I wait the harder I'm gonna fall
Stop! Playing with my delirium
Coz I'm outta my head and outta my self control

Wow, that seems pretty fitting.

I turned round and crawled towards the door along the hall. Eager to get away from the pulsating masses. I could feel the bass through my hands and the beat soothed me as I slowly made my way along. Please let it be unlocked. With any luck Emmett had forgotten to lock this door.

There were locks on all the doors in the house. All the doors I had seen anyway. It struck me as odd. Forks is a pretty safe town, Charlie rarely had some juicy crime to solve. Yet there were locks all over the place. I had noticed the shutters from outside as well. Half the building was glass and there were shutters hovering over it, ready to slam down in the event of an emergency. It was like the Cullen's were expecting some sort of raid. I'm pretty sure that if I looked hard enough I would find a panic room somewhere, maybe an escape tunnel or a nuclear bunker.

Yes!

The door swung open easily and I slid down the stairs on my ass, not trusting myself to manage to do it standing up. I really have to take these boots off.

Part of me was worried that I was about to walk in on Emmett and Rosalie, but I vaguely remembered that he had led her up the stairs and not down them. They hadn't been seen since. Rose is a fast worker. Or Emmett is. Maybe both. Made for each other then.

I'm not even making sense to myself.

You should have gone up.

Jesus, now my brain tells me. Maybe I should just have a rest and then make my way up the stairs.

My fingers fumbled getting the boots off, until I used my feet as well until I finally kicked the damn boots off and the feeling came back to my toes. I sighed with pleasure, it felt so good to be able to wiggle my toes. I should have just worn my damn Vans.

I climb up onto the couch, lying on my stomach and letting my eyes drift shut.

I was only slightly aware of the footsteps on the stairs. The steps were heavy and I could tell they didn't belong to a girl. My heart started to pick up speed as my brain tried to convince me it was Edward.

Finally he had arrived.

He had come to find me.

My stomach was flipping with excitement.

He moved over to where I was lying and stood above me, neither of us moving. I was squeezing my eyes shut, too scared to open them, unsure what kind of expression would greet me. I never knew if he was going to be nice to me or be a dick.

He shifted his weight and crouched down beside me. I could hear the shifting of the fabric of his clothes as he reached his hand out and stroked his fingers across my bare back.

Something felt off.

He didn't smell right.

He didn't feel right.

His hand didn't feel right.

"Bella." He breathed and then I knew what was off the most.

It wasn't Edward.

It was Newton.

EPOV

Five fucking hours.

I had slept for five fucking hours.

That wasn't a nap...it was a coma.

I could barely hear the music from up here. Had Emmett cancelled the party and not told me?

I rubbed at my eyes, trying to shift the grit from them that was hurting my eyes. My tongue ran across my teeth and they felt gritty too.

I stretched out my entire body, letting a loud groan out of my mouth. I needed to shower.

I couldn't believe it was almost ten o'clock. Bella would be downstairs wondering where the fuck I was. I had practically begged her to come and I couldn't even be bothered to show up.

She would be hating the very soul of me right now.

Getting up I quickly threw myself in the shower, my toothbrush in my mouth as I washed my hair and body with a speed I hadn't known I possessed.

I needed to be near her. I have finally given in and now I don't want to be apart from her. I need to know that she is safe and cared for and loved. I wanted to be the person to give her that. I wanted to be the person that she confided in. The person she wants to see first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

I towel dried my hair and pulled on a t-shirt and jeans not bothering with shoes. As soon as I unlocked the door to my room and pulled it open I heard the music. It sounded like Emmett had hooked up an IPod to the decks and...yup...from the noises emanating from his bedroom as I passed it he had lured Rosalie into it.

Rolling my eyes I jogged down the stairs, immediately scanning the room for Bella. She wasn't here.

Fuck.

She had probably already left, completely pissed the fuck off with me.

I needed a drink.

"Jack and Coke." I shouted out to one of the bar tenders as I spotted Jasper kissing Alice up against a wall. They seemed quite involved but I needed to ask about Bella. I grabbed my drink and stomped over to them; my fingers unwillingly went to Jasper's shoulder and tapped him gently. He rolled his shoulder to throw my hand off him and I pulled him back slightly.

"What?" He growled, his face flushed red and a seriously pissed off look on his face until he realised it was me.

"Sorry." Grinning sheepishly I held up my hands in surrender.

"It's ok Edward." Alice peeked out from under his arm and grinned widely at me.

"Do you know where Bella is?"

"She went off a little while ago to the bar."

"Where the hell have you been?" Alice had come from behind Jasper and was jabbing her little finger into my chest, full of injustice on Bella's behalf.

"I fell asleep." I admitted sheepishly.

"Well, she looked fantastic and you missed it."

"She always looks fantastic Alice, some make-up and designer clothes don't change that fact." I frowned and she beamed at me before wandering off leaving me to talk to Jasper.

"Where's she off to?" Jasper mumbled as we watched her head over to the decks and begin fiddling with the IPod that was sitting there.

"So, Bella?" I was beginning to feel anxious, a burning need to find her was almost consuming me. Just as he was about to say something Ben and Angela walked past.

"Did you see his face? It looks like someone beat the shit out of him." Ben said to Angela as he snaked his arm around her waist.

"There is a long list of people who want to do that." Angela laughed in response.

Jasper caught my eye and I knew he was thinking what I was. There was a moment as we stared at each other before we spoke at the same time.

"Newton." I was vaguely aware of Bobby Darin coming through the speakers as Jasper and I moved towards Alice.

Dream lover, where are you
with a love, oh, so true?
And a hand that I can hold,
to feel you near as I grow old?
'cause I want (yeah-yeah yeah)
A girl (yeah-yeah yeah)
To call (yeah-yeah yeah)
My own (yeah-yeah)
I want a dream lover so I don't have to dream alone

Jasper threw Alice a disgusted look as we approached her. My look was probably not far off completely discombobulated. I knew what she was getting at, but she would never get that information out of me. I would never admit to anyone else that I had been dreaming about Bella. Emmett knew and he was one person too many. I still couldn't believe I had confessed to him but I was going out of my mind.

Much like I am now.

If Newton had the balls to come to my house it meant only one thing.

He was out for revenge.

He was out for Bella.

"Alice, think, where did you see Bella last?" Jasper asked with urgency.

"I think she was headed over that way when I last spotted her, but you had me up against that wall seconds after so I'm not sure." Her hand gestured towards the hall where several doors stood.

I took off down it and tried every door there. Emmett had locked them all before the party started. Unless someone had locked it behind themselves? The only other room Bella had spent time in was the entertainment room and that door was locked too. Grabbing Jasper's arm I dragged him through to the kitchen and down the stairs into the room from there.

My feet barely touched the steps and I launched myself down the last half as I heard Bella shouting. Jasper landed beside me and we were greeted by a sight that made me see red.

I had always thought it was just an expression, but it felt like something in my brain exploded and red flashed across my vision.

"I said NO, Mike." He had backed her into a corner; her hands were pinned down at her side as he pushed his lips onto her neck. "Stop." She was struggling against her imprisonment, trying to bring her knee up to his crotch but unable to.

Jasper was going to have to make sure I didn't kill him.

"Newton." I growled and he turned round, tensed for a fight.

A/N: So there you have it folks....a party chapter.

It went down a different route than I had planned, it's not even close to the absolute fluff I had planned, but my fingers refused to write it.

This has been ready for days...pesky login probs.

Some proper Edward and Bella interaction next chapter...I know it has been a long time coming so thank you for your patience!

Enjoyed it? Review it!

I love hearing about the bits you enjoyed...they are usually the bits I enjoyed writing most.

Thanks to all who have reviewed and have been faithful to the story.

Oh, and finally, to the reviewer who asked if I knew what the legal drinking age is....Yes, I do.